Voice of the child
5. Further examples and links
Cheshire West and Chester Autism Service Pupil Voice Resource Pack (all ages)
Cheshire West and Chester Pupil Voice Resource Pack
The Autism Service has developed a pack of tools to help collect the voice of the pupil for those with differences in their communication style. The pack contains twelve separate methods that can be used including templates.
In My Shoes (2006) (4+ age)
In My Shoes is a paid for computer package and training that helps children and vulnerable adults communicate about their experiences, including potentially distressing events or relationships. It can be used in a wide range of circumstances, including interviews with children who have difficulties in expressing emotions, are hard to engage or have developmental delay
ELSA Support Website (all ages)
Extensive resource website aimed at those working with children and young people. Site contains both free and paid worksheets, activity plans and programmes of work that can be used with children and young people to enable them to express themselves and develop.
‘Say it your own way’
Children’s participation in assessments (2006) Barnardo’s/DfES
This pack includes a range of practical resources to support professionals to give children a voice within assessments.
Children in Care Council (CICC)
designed by young people for young people. Providing accessible information and resources to looked after children/young people and care leavers in Cheshire West and Chester.
Solution-focused practice toolkit (2015)
Helping professionals use the approach when working with children and young people. The solution-focused practice toolkit provides inspiration for worksheets and activities to use, adapt or devise for the children and young people you work with.
My Needs, Wishes and Feelings Pack (all ages)
Example of best practice this is an extensive pack of resources developed by CAFCASS to support its workers to enable and ensure that children and young people are able to express their views and feeling.
Talking Mats
Talking Mats is a social enterprise whose vision is to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties, and those close to them, by increasing their capacity to communicate effectively about things that matter to them. Range of free and to buy resources.
Listening to Young Children (2003)
Penny Lancaster and Vanessa Broadbent, ISBN-10: 0335213723 The pack provides a conceptual framework for listening to young children. The key principles embedded in each of the elements of the resource are inclusion, participation and support.
Communication and assessment apps for use with children and young people
Child and Family Training have developed a range of pay for apps designed to work on touch screen devices. They have been carefully designed to help a range of professionals engage in direct work with children.
Understanding child development
Range of informative publications to support practitioners expand their understanding of child development including this link to a selfguided learning section.
Voice of the child: Evidence Review (2015)
The lived experiences of children, young people and families are a core element of the evidence that must inform our work, alongside research and practice expertise.
Child and adolescent development 0-19
Hwb curriculum for Wales and Hwb professional development
Guidance and information websites developed by the Welsh Government. They are a source for the latest education policy, guidance, research and more.
Kids R Central
All About Me An international example of good practice developed by the institute of child protection studies at Australian Catholic University. This pack of resources was developed from the CAFCASS resources.